Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-11-05

WCio paul luz uldhihS shO mOos
possible noise-which, with some of
them at least, was probably the case.
The mob had greatly increased in num-
Der, and was composed of men and
women, most of whom belonged to the
lower classes. Still, many silk hats
stuck out above the mass of caps, and
many well-dressed woman was con-
spicuous among the white and blue
blouses. Without much parley, and
without taking the trouble of lowering
their muskets, the police charged the
mob, who had assumed an air OF de-
fiance. A short but hot scutfie took
place, in which blue uniforms and
blouses, sticks and muskets got so
mixed as to make it impossible to see,
at first glance, what party gained the
upper hand. However, in short time,
the police caused the mob to disperse.
Notwithstanding the muskets OF the
former were but as many encumbrances,
they arrested several of the rioters, after
which they fell in line again, and left as
orderly and quietly as they had come,
leaving a few men at each street corner.
The Partisan police consists of about
5000 men, including the commissaries,
detectives, etc. They wear dark blue uni
forms, KEPT (cap), and are armed with
sword bayonet, to which is added re-
volver in nighttime. They are organ
lied and drilled as soldiers, but never
carry their muskets, unless 1t be on
exceptional occasions, like the one de-
scribed. The French police has ever been
more able as a detective than as pre-
ventive force. This may be largely at
tributed to its having so often been drawn
away from its proper field of action.
Especially the Napoleons made politi-
cal agent of their police force, and used
its power to help them carry out their
intrigues, thus compelling it to pay more
attention to political offenders than
to criminals. Since the close of the
war of 1870 the police has been re-
peatedly reorganized. At this day,
the Partisan police is divided
into five departments. One of these,
the police of the morals, has for its
sole duty the surveillance of dissolute
women. But its agents have made
themselves unpopular by wrong and
often arbitrary and capricious exercise
of their power. In Paris the police
"sticks its paw" even in the peoples
private affairs; for instance, when one
gives ball, few officers are ordered to
watch the entrance of his house. The
public places of amusement are under
a strict surveillance. At performances
at the Grand Opera the entrances to the
building are guarded by two gardes de
Paris This is the name of corps OF
mounted police, whose duties are con-
fined within the city limits, and who
are dressed in gorgeous uniforms blue
coat, white leather trousers, patent
leather top boots, gilded cuirass, and
helmet. And quite sight it is to be-
hold two horse-soldiers, both man and
beast as motionless as statues among the
crowds of carriages. The papers OF do
mestics and the certificates they receive
from their employers are provided with a
vise by the authorities. City ordinances
regulate the placing of gas pipes in
public and private dwellings. When a
fire occurs the officers have the power to
compel any passer-by of the male sex,
no matter how important his errand, to
stop and help at carrying water or work
ing at the hand engines.
In France, where liberty, equality and